Follow the trail of money

Most recently, there has been a proposal by the majority in the Albany County Legislature to hand over $1 million to BBL Construction Services…..this is outrageous.

Here’s the background…..back in 2003 County Executive Breslin made an announcement that the County was going to provide BBL with a million dollars. This was to be done when Vista Park in Bethlehem was created. This technology park was to draw research and development businesses as well as high tech companies into our area with the “promise” of creating 500 jobs.

Well, 12 years later we have a small retail plaza on the site as well as a doctor’s office and a supermarket.

If you’re looking for a high tech job, don’t bother looking at Vista –there aren’t any high tech jobs at the site and nowhere near the promised 500 positions. I don’t think there’s even 100 jobs created by the retail establishments. There are no high tech businesses, there are no tax dollars flowing into the County’s coffers; and since BBL was given PILOTs no sales tax or mortgage taxes were paid on the buildings created. There were property tax advantages too. The first two years were property tax free (wouldn’t you like to have a two year stint where you didn’t have to pay property taxes!)

Why would the County hand over a million dollars? I don’t believe there is any reason why we should.

But wait!!! Let’s follow the stream of political contributions and maybe the reason is clarified.
If you’d like, go onto the Board of Elections website and note the contributions, maybe that’s the reason!